At 6’5” my husband’s size is intimidating. His natural serious expression adds to this intimidating appearance and can unintentionally make him appear angry, annoyed or uninterested.

Recently, when I was encouraging him to SMILE, he responded with,“I am smiling on the inside. No one ever taught me how to smile on ​ the outside.”

As babies we are taught to walk by repeatedly being stood in front of open arms and encouraged to move our feet in clumsy toddler fashion until we move across the room. If we don’t succeed we fall and are reinforced that it “feels better”to walk than to fall.

Were you taught to smile in the same way? Were you taught how to raise the corners of your mouth to form one smile after another like putting one foot in front of the other to walk?

We aren’t taught that even the slightest lift of the corners of our mouths lessens the creases in our foreheads, removes the heaviness on our face, and allows our eyes to sparkle.

We aren’t taught that a smile is a gift we give ourselves and the easiest gift to give to others --It is almost guaranteed that if you give one you will receive one in return.

We aren’t taught that smiles have the power to change someone’s day; to lift a heart; and to share love in a spontaneous way.

We aren’t taught that a pleasant resting face with the hint of a smile creates a welcoming persona when others see you and a full out smile when you meet people makes them feel important and ‘seen.”

We aren’t taught that a smile opens doors, opens opportunities and opens hearts.”We aren’t taught that it “feels better” to smile.

I am giving you the SMILE CHALLENGE. For one week practice smiling like you do any other health routine like exercise, brushing your teeth or sleeping.

Three times a day stand in front of a mirror and lift the corners of your mouth. At first you may have to use your two index fingers to push those corners up, but I promise you they WILL move!

Try variations of how you smile.A pleasant grin.A happy beam.A full out show-all-your-teeth smile.Then throughout the day let yourself smile. Smile at strangers as you pass them.Smile at the sunshine.Smile to and for yourself when you are alone. It just Feels Better to smile! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~Pennie’s Life Lesson:“A smile opens doors, opens opportunities and opens hearts.” ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

YOUR TURN... I shared this with you to encourage you share your smile with yourself and others. It really does FEEL better to smile!

Leave a Reply.

Author

There is a certain magic about where I live both physically and spiritually – on the crossroads of Spirit and Brave.

It seems appropriate that my writings be found under the sign that locates my life. I wish for all of you the ability to live in your Spirit to experience a life filled with love and gratitude and be Brave in the learning of your life lessons.

PLEASE NOTE: This page does not provide medical or legal advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this site and links to other sites, Pennie Hunt provides general information for inspiration, encouragement and educational purposes only. The information provided in this site, or through links to other sites, is not a substitute for legal, medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit, call or the advice of your lawyer, physician or other healthcare provider.